With the UFC entering a new era and veterans such as Tito Ortiz, B.J. Penn and Rich Franklin in the homestretch of their careers, former UFC lightweight champ Sherk is hoping to cement his place in a crowded field of HOF candidates.

Inactive since a September 2010 win over Evan Dunham, the oft-injured Sherk (36-4-1 MMA, 8-4 UFC) now is planning for a spring or early-summer return to the octagon.

“I wanted to fight [in 2011],” Sherk told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) on Monday. “But I had the same issues that held me out of the octagon for 18 months. It’s just injuries. It’s injuries piling up.

“I fought too many times in the last five or six years with serious injuries. I don’t feel the need at this point to fight injured. When you’re fighting and not 100 percent, it’s not a fun thing. It’s not something fun to go through. It’s not fun going through training camp when you need surgery.”

At 38 years old, Sherk knows he’s in the twilight of his career. He still trains five to six days per week, one or two times per day. He’s there with the likes of UFC fighters Jacob Volkmann, Paul Bradley and Nik Lentz putting in the work. But for Sherk, he also has to worry getting healthy so he can reach his ultimate goal of getting back into the cage.

But Sherk’s return comes with a lofty goals. With the UFC’s lightweight division bolstered with new contenders such as Ben Henderson, Gray Maynard, Nate Diaz, Clay Guida and Jim Miller, Sherk knows the likelihood of getting another title shot is slim.

So, he’s focused simply on getting big fights. The goal, he said, isn’t to prove his title-worthiness. Instead, it’s about cementing and improving his credentials for inclusion in the UFC Hall of Fame.

“The guys are getting younger, and the guys are getting faster, and they’re getting tougher, more explosive,” said Sherk, who previously fought for a welterweight title and later held the lightweight strap. “Their coaches are getting better. The sport isn’t what it was five or 10 years ago. It’s 100 percent changed. If I want to stay on top of the heap, I’ve got to stay on top of everything – staying healthy in training, my diet, my conditioning.”

Lately, Sherk has immersed himself in training, teaching and doing “tons” of seminars. He likes sharing his knowledge with the next generation of fighters, but he also wants the recognition that he was one of the best of his era. To do that, he needs big fights.

“I want to fight again,” he said. “I’m a fighter. At this point in time, do I plan on fighting five or six more times? Probably not, to be honest with you. That’s why I want big fights. I want co-main-event or main-event type fights that are going to cement my place in the UFC Hall of Fame. Absolutely, I think at this point in time, I’ve done enough to be a hall of famer, but I’d like a few more fights to make my mark.”

Sherk fought twice in 2008, just once in 2009, once in 2010, and not at all in 2011. It’s easy to dismiss his HOF worthiness because of the lack of recent activity, but he’s won five of his past seven fights, and the lone losses came to Penn and current champ Frankie Edgar. In 41 pro fights – many of which came against heavier welterweight opponents – he’s been defeated just four times (and only twice by stoppage). He’s fought a who’s who of MMA while defeating the likes of Nick Diaz, Kenny Florian, Tyson Griffin, Karo Parisyan and Dunham. Additionally, outside the UFC, he’s a staggering 28-0-1.

Sure, there’s that failed drug test that cost him his UFC title. Sherk tested positive for an anabolic steroid following a UFC 73 title win over Hermes Franca, but he blamed errors in the lab-testing procedures and ultimately had his suspension reduced from 12 months to six following a high-profile fight with the California State Athletic Commission.

Aside from that, Sherk’s credentials obviously are strong.

“I fought for the world title in two different weight classes,” he said. “I was No. 1 or No. 2 in two different weight classes in the world. I won a world title. I defended a world title. I think I’ve done enough to cement my place in the UFC Hall of Fame.

“Most guys in the Hall of Fame right now didn’t accomplish what I’ve accomplished. So I feel like I deserve that.”

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